Clarifying earlier reports that the new Fusion would get a 1.5-liter engine, Ford confirms they cut 0.1 liter from the previous 1.6 unit's displacement, used some engineering magic, ended up with 20% better fuel economy and about 15% less emissions while maintaining power figures. Also, they save you some tax money.

The aluminum-block twin-cam 1.5-liter EcoBoost features the same integrated exhaust manifold technology as the 1.0-liter unit with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing, but the computer-controlled clutch on the belt-drive water pump and the water-cooled intercooler are unique to the 1.5.

Advertisement

Production starts in Ford's Romanian factory with the engine debuting in China in the new Mondeo, followed by the Fusion in North America this year and the European Mondeo later on.